Those assassinated in the canoe accident include two women, their two children and two men. Equipped bandits had attacked in a nearby community and on hearing of the attack, the residents from Gurumana began to escape for safety, and in the method, the victims got drowned.
The victims were among the hundreds that escaped from the bandits attack which witnesses said occurred at about 8pm.
A source close to the community told News men that the canoe overturned when they had nearly fled to safety.
According to the co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Kokki, the latest occurrence is one of too different number of villagers had died in similar conditions in the past.
“The event happened last night, a canoe conveying residents who were escaping from terrorist attacks overturned. Some of the passengers onboard drowned.
“As an aggressive measure, the victims upon hearing about the terrorists attacking adjoining villages agreed to run for their lives but unfortunately, they confronted their untimely death while trying to flee.
I can tell you that awful incidents of this aspect had happened in the past and some have claimed many productive lives.”
According to Kokki he however announced that the search for the bodies of the victims by volunteer rescuers, divers and fishermen have begun, adding that some dead bodies of the victims have been found.
He also said that he is witnesses the search scene “I personally witnessed the search efforts at Gurmana riverbank, scene of the awful event and as at this time, rescuers are deduced to reclaim their bodies. Frantic efforts are being intensified”
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Inga verified the incident saying that search and rescue operation was ongoing.
